[breaking news] "General Manager Lee Jong-yeol went to Korea." On average, Samsung's first foreign player selection failed to return to the 'finally' team for an average of 152km "Elbow surgery findings... "Preparation for replacement players"

*This content was translated by AI.

Matt Manning (28), a foreign pitcher who was expected to be the first starter for the Samsung Lions this year by spraying an average fastball of 152km, failed to return to the team in the end.

Samsung manager Park Jin-man said ahead of a practice game against the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Yomiuri Giants at Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on the 28th, "Manning entered Korea and examined it, and the elbow ligament was damaged, so he had to undergo surgery. I feel heavy because the result came out like that," he said.

Manning is a right-hander who was acquired for $1 million this season and was highly anticipated because he was a first-round Major League rookie draft player. The Samsung club said, "With an average four-seam fastball speed of 152km, he has excellent pitching and various pitches such as sweeper, curve, splitter, and slider. He explained that he is a pitcher who has been mentioned as a priority recruitment target for KBO and NPB clubs in recent years.

Manning's dream, however, ended before she even stepped on the Korean stage. In a practice game against the Hanwha Eagles at Akama Ball Park in Onnason, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on the 24th, he collapsed after scoring three hits and four runs with four outs in ⅔ innings without striking out, which was caused by elbow pain.

It is a flashpoint for Samsung, whose first and second starters have already left the spring camp. Ace Ariel Furado (30) participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a member of the Panama national team and was unable to attend the camp.

Following this, native ace Won Tae-in (26) was diagnosed with the first stage of the right elbow flexor muscle, and he fell to the Korean national team at WBC and is uncertain until the opening game. Except for the uncertain five starters, Choi Won-tae (29) is actually the only starting pitcher left in the rotation.

Coach Park Jin-man said, "Choi Won-tae is the only player left in our starting team. The general manager entered Korea in a hurry. The general manager is looking for foreigners in a hurry. "I think we have to prepare in a different direction to find the rest of the starters for the rest of the year," he said.

Due to Manning's replacement, Won Tae-in's rehabilitation plan has also been rescheduled. Won Tae-in, who is currently at Ijima Rehabilitation Center in Yokoyama Prefecture, was originally scheduled to rejoin the Samsung Onnason camp that day.

However, as Won Tae-in's quick return became more important than ever, he immediately returned to Korea. Coach Park Jin-man said, "I was originally going to return here today, but I had to go back and forth to Korea because I had to check my MRI on March 6th. Rather, he said, "I thought it would be better not to come here, but to return to Korea immediately for a test."

He added, "I'm currently receiving treatment at Ijima, so I think I'll check again after watching the video on the 6th to see what the results will be."

At the same time, left-handers Lee Seung-hyun, Yang Chang-seop, Yuk Sun-yeop, Lee Seung-min, and rookie Jang Chan-hee, who were classified as the five starting candidates, will be able to try to enter the starting rotation.

Head coach Park Jin-man said, "I think we need to prepare by expanding the scope of left Seung-hyun, Yang Chang-seop, Yuk Sun-yeop, and Jang Chan-hee, who were the starting candidates."

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*This content was translated by AI.